the M.V. Aquitania
Our vessel, the Aquitania is a 45 foot giant canoe, complete with inboard motor, a surrey- fringed top and 8 foot ocean-going prow. Her shallow draft will enable us to follow the shoreline of the Discovery and Chatham Islands, where many wildlife surprises are in store!
MARINE LIFE
Oak Bay features two marine conservation areas, each home to large colonies of seals and sea birds. You can also encounter sea lions, dolphins and porpoises as well as raptors such as ospreys and eagles throughout these Gulf Island waters.
OAK BAY AND THE ISLANDS
DISCOVERY ISLAND
Group Tour Options: Our vessel can also be chartered for special destinations such as Race Ro
cks where large colonies of sea lions and other marine mammals reside.
Or for those who prefer a touch of history we can access Fort Rodd Hlll National Historic Site, located at the mouth of Esquimalt Harbour. Tour options here include a hike along an old growth forest trail which leads to the world famous Hatley Castle and it's Japanese and Italian Gardens. Bird watching at Esquimalt lagoon is another option enroute. Call us for more information on these and other specialty group tour charters, some of which could be arranged to depart from Victoria Harbour.
Camping Option: If you would like to play Robinson Crusoe and be dropped of at Discovery Island for an overnight experience, we can oblige. Enquire about our camping package, where we supply you with all the basic camping gear and even include some kayaking options.
A1- “Oak Bay Explorer” Cruise (1.5 hours). This marine tour will follow the coastline of Oak Bay and the Chain Islands Marine Ecological Reserve to the Discovery/Chatham islands, returning via Ten Mile Point and Cadboro Bay. Passengers will be introduced to a variety of wildlife. The isolated and wild beauty of the islands, and views of lovely ocean estates flanking the more developed parts of the harbour will amaze.
Departures Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 9 to 10:30 am from Oak Bay Marina (meet at the end of C Dock).
Cost: adults $35. , teens $30, and children 12 and under are $20. (plus tax). Reservations required. Minimum group size 4, max 12. Available from early June to late September..
Your wildlife adventure starts with a ride in an inflatable to our Giant Canoe moored in the harbour adjacent the Oak Bay Marina. Some basic dexterity is needed to transfer from this inflatable to the Canoe (and then back again once we return to our mooring in the harbour).
A 2 - Discovery - Chatham Islands Picnic & Wildlife Cruise (3.5 hours): This motorized Tour includes encounters with marine wildlife and giant kelp, pulling a crab trap, hiking the forest trails and wild beaches of a wild and uninhabited Island. Our destination is the lighthouse at Blue Bird Point on Discovery Island Marine Park. You will be awed by the view from atop Pandora Hill overlooking this lighthouse and the straits of Juan de Fuca and Haro, and amused by Discovery Island's interesting history of smuggling and intrigue. On our way over to these islands we visit the Chain Islands Marine Widlife Reserve, home to many seals and cormorants.
Departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 2:30 (or on other days when a group of 8 or more reserve). We depart from Oak Bay Marina (end of C Dock).
Cost: $50. adults, teens are $40., and children 12 and under are $30. (plus tax). Minimum group size 4 adults, max 12. Available from early June to late September. Reservations required. Note: some physical dexterity is required to transfer to and from our inflatable, the motor Launch, and the beaches
A3. Discovery - Chatham Islands Adventure (6.5 hours), Our featured wildlife tour for those wanting both a marine and Islands experience. After visiting the marine wildlife reserves and exploring the coastlines of
the Oak Bay Islands, you will be taken to Discovery Island Marine Park where there are great forest trails to hike and wild beaches to picnic on and to explore. One highlight is the panoramic view of the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits obtained from the historic lighthouse at Sea Bird Point. You will be fascinated by the Island’s history of smuggling and intrigue and inspired by its beauty and tranquility. You will be guided for the first part of the tour on the Island only, then left to explore on your own with maps and information provided. An inflatable will be used to convey persons to and fro our vessel and the beaches. There is also an opportunity to camp-over.
Departures 10 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. We meet at the end of C Dock in Oak Bay Marina.
Cost: $75. for adults, teens are $50. and children are $40. (plus tax). Bring your lunch. Minimum group size 4 adults, max 12. Available from early June to late September. Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance. Group discounts offered. Note: Some physical dexterity is required to transfer to and from our inflatable, the motor Launch, and the beaches.
A4. Oak Bay Sunset Tour (1.5 hours, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm)
Enjoy a evening cruise along the Oak Bay waterfront in our historic Edwardian Launch. Bring along your singing voices if you do not have an instrum3ent (no pianos, please!. Our vessel can accommodate up to 12 revellers.
Departures on Fridays and Saturday evenings from 6:30 to 8 pm (or when otherwise arranged by groups of 8 or more).
Cost: $30. for adults. From June to mid September. Charters of the entire boat for an evening cruise can be arranged for $300.